Empowering Birth Affirmations: Your Secret Weapon

Jenna Speir
Jan 24
3 min read

Let me set the scene: You’re in labour. The waves are rolling in, one after another, and you’re doing your best to stay focused. Then, you hear a voice—yours or someone else’s—reminding you, “I am strong. I was made for this.” And suddenly, the noise in your head quiets just a bit. You take a breath. You keep going.

That, my friend, is the magic of affirmations.

What Even Are Affirmations?

Think of affirmations as little pep talks you give yourself—or have someone give you—when you need them the most. They’re simple, powerful phrases designed to replace fear or doubt with courage and strength. And during birth, courage and strength are the name of the game.

They’re not some woo-woo thing (okay, maybe a little), but they work. Science backs it up: what we say to ourselves shapes how we feel and act. So why not fill your mind with words that build you up instead of breaking you down?

Why Affirmations Matter During Birth?

Let’s be real—labour is hard. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright scary. But it’s also empowering, transformative, and life-changing. Affirmations help you tap into the latter.

When the doubts creep in—and they will—affirmations remind you of what’s true:

Your body knows what to do.
You are strong and capable.
You can do hard things.

It’s like having your own personal cheer squad in your brain. And trust me, you’ll want them there.

How to Use Affirmations

The beauty of affirmations is that there’s no wrong way to use them. But here are some ideas to get you started:

Write Them Down: Stick them on the mirror, your fridge, or even your hospital bag.
Say Them Out Loud: Hearing your own voice is powerful.
Record Them: Make a voice note on your phone and listen to it during labor.
Delegate: Have your partner or doula read them to you during contractions.

Pro tip: Pair your affirmations with deep breathing or visualization. Picture your baby moving down. Imagine yourself crossing the finish line. Whatever feels good.

Some Affirmations to Try

Here are a few of my favourites:

“I am strong, and I trust my body.”

“Each wave brings me closer to my baby.”

“I am safe. My baby is safe.”

“My body was made for this.”

“I surrender and let go.”

Write them, say them, own them. Heck, even put them on cute cards and decorate your birth space with them (bonus points for twinkle lights).

Adding Your Own Spin

Want to make affirmations feel even more personal? Try creating some that speak directly to you. Maybe something like:

“I trust my care team to support me.”

“I am making the best choices for me and my baby.”

“This is hard, but I can do hard things.”

Whatever resonates, go with it.

A Quick Anecdote (Because Who Doesn't Love a Good Story?)

I had a client once who swore affirmations weren’t her thing. She humoured me and threw a few into her birth plan anyway. Fast forward to her birth: mid-contraction, she starts whispering, “I can do this. I am strong.” Her partner picked up on it and started saying it too. Pretty soon, everyone in the room was chanting, “You’ve got this!”

Her baby was born moments later. Coincidence? Maybe. But I’d like to think those words helped her cross the finish line.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the thing: Birth is raw, real, and unpredictable. You can’t control every twist and turn, but you can control what you feed your mind.

Affirmations are more than just words—they’re reminders of your strength, your resilience, and the incredible power you already have within you.

So, grab a pen, start writing, and let those affirmations become your new BFFs. And if you need help or inspiration, you know where to find me.